Many questions still surround Nintendo’sThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2,including what new features it will add on top of its predecessor. Early trailers showcase Link taking to the skies above Hyrule as an expansion of the world players are familiar with, and there appears to be more to Ganon’s story followingBreath of the Wild. Another observation audiences have made is that it seems Link will be stripped back to basics and starting from fresh forBreath of the Wild 2.
While “resetting” the hero is standard in sequels that reuse the same protagonist, this could have a significant impact on howBreath of the Wild 2plays. Whether it’s rumored midair combat mechanics orthe ability to phase through platforms in trailers,Breath of the Wild 2looks set to revamp the hero’s skills. Though some fans might want to see the Sheikah Slate and its Runes return, including the Master Cycle Zero, a new take onBreath of the Wild’s mechanics seems inevitable and necessary.
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Getting Link Back to Basics
The likelihood of Link losing some of his previously acquired abilities appears to be high. While him losing access to the Sheikah Slate is debatable - especially sinceBreath of the Wild’swasoriginally developed for the Wii U, which the Slate was modeled after - this wouldn’t stop Nintendo from removing it in one way or another for gameplay purposes. For instance, players might see an altered form of the Slate, either through corruption or upgrades, that could remove some old features.
There will be fans who would be disappointed by this, as the versatility of Link’s abilities allowed players to pull off some incredible feats and exploits, but Nintendo seems to be aiming for adarker game withBreath of the Wild 2in story, tone, and overall gameplay experience. Therefore, the removal of some of these abilities would provide Nintendo with a blank slate while avoiding the added complications ofBreath of the Wild’sDLC add-ons.
As fun as it was to be able to see Link tear through the sequel as a biker from the start, this concept proves incongruent to the ethos ofThe Legend of Zelda.Locking the ability behind DLC as a reward for completingThe Champions' Balladwas acceptable, but justifying its existence inBreath of the Wild 2might be a stretch for Nintendo. The Master Cycle Zero could come back for the sequel, its existence would just need to be revamped.
Revamping New and Old Mechanics
A lot of functionality would likely be lost if the Slate was removed, so its replacement has big shoes to fill. One theory is that Nintendo couldreintroducing a magic system intoBreath of the Wild 2, something which was missing in the first game but has been seen throughout the franchise. The evidence behind this is the state of Link’s arm and the abilities he seems to possess in trailer footage.
Attentive viewers notedLink’s arm inBreath of the Wild 2appears corruptedwith some magic similar in style to Sheikah technology. Some have also drawn parallels to Link’s arm and the seal supposedly keeping Ganon contained, with speculation suggesting he might lose abilities like Mipha’s Grace or Revali’s Gale due to Ganon’s influence.
If it is corrupted technology infused with Link’s arm, this might be the Slate’s replacement, granting Link previous Runessuch as Stasis or Magnesiswhile expanding his range to include newer skills like the aforementioned phasing. It would be an organic development ofBreath of the Wild’sset-up, forcing Link to relearn old and new abilities while also providing Nintendo with a means of improving the mechanics from the first game. This would reopen the Master Cycle Zero issue, since it too was connected to the Slate.
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A Master Cycle 2.0 Could Appear in Breath of the Wild’s Sequel
One of the many praisesBreath of the Wildreceived came from its free open-world traveling. Skills like Revali’s Gale and items like the Paraglider made “flight” effortless, and sinceBreath of the Wild 2will be taking Link to the skies, improved flight mechanics will be needed. While Link rode horses across Hyrule, a flying mount would make sense for the sequel, but unless the Loftwings make a surprise comeback then Nintendo could be short on options. A modified flying Master Cycle Zero could be the perfect answer.
Thougha flying Master Cycle Zerois perhaps absurd, it would be no more absurd than a motorcycle inBreath of the Wild. Some of the bike’s limitations could factor into its usage inBreath of the Wild 2. For instance, its fuel supply would mean it could only fly for so long, while limited speed could make other means of travel faster but riskier - like using momentum and stamina while Paragliding. Better yet, Nintendo could polish the movement options with the Master Cycle Zero, allowing Link to seamlessly transition between ground and air travel.
It’s unlikely the Master Cycle Zero will actually return for the base game, and could be another feature Nintendo would save forfuture DLC forBreath of the Wild 2.But Nintendo should be clearing the board for its sequel in order to give Link the fresh start and provide players with a starting point to rebuild him back up to defeat Ganon again. What shape or form this will take remains to be seen, but the experience is still highly anticipated as fans await official news and a final release date forBreath of the Wild 2.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2is set to release in early 2023 for Nintendo Switch.
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